SEAN Maguire is out of the Ireland squad for the World Cup playoff matches against Denmark.

And, in a cruel blow for the Kilkenny lad, he is facing three months on the sideline due to a serious hamstring injury.

Maguire (23) only made his senior international debut last month, in the win over Moldova, and while he did not feature in the win over Wales he was in line to play a role in the two games against Denmark.

But while the former Cork City man did play the full 90 minutes for Preston in their midweek defeat to Aston Villa, he has since suffered a torn hamstring and needs to undergo surgery.

Preston confirmed Independent.ie's story this afternoon that Maguire will undergo an operation, with manager Alex Neil confirming that Maguire will be out for 'three to four months'.

"North End's Irish international forward Sean Maguire will undergo an operation after picking up an injury to his hamstring," said the club.

"The No.24 has suffered a similar injury to the one that has ruled out Greg Cunningham since the second week of the season and is expected to be out for an extended period.

"The striker will join the likes of Cunningham, Tommy Spurr and Tom Clarke on a rehabilitation programme and the club wishes him a speedy recovery."

Maguire was named in the 34-man squad for the playoff with Denmark and Martin O'Neill will now assess his options as the players prepare to report for duty ahead of Monday's training session in Dublin.

O'Neill is hoping that Daryl Murphy returns to the Nottingham Forest side today after injury kept him out of their last two games.